Dream Gets Closer to Reality

DUBAI – In a month from today, Dubai’s dream of having the Metro will be real. 

The shining blue driverless state-of-the-art train will be seen packed with people gliding along the spanned viaducts and underground stations.The attractive shell shaped stations will bustle with commuters getting in and out of the train. 

The Dh15.5-billion project, undertaken by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is all set to write a new chapter in the history of the emirate
and the country.

With talks afloat that a number of stations along the Red Line, the first Metro route, might not be ready, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) had scotched all rumours stating that all will be ready along the Line
from 9.9.9.

Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Rail Operations, said that between 500 to 1,500 men were working on all the 29 stations of the Line.

The project consists of two main lines initially, the 52.1km Red Line and the 23.9km Green Line. 

The total length of the Dubai Metro is 76km.

The Green Line is scheduled to open on March 21, 2010.

Two more Lines, namely the Blue and Purple Line have also been announced.

Work on the project, which began in March 2006 never stopped — not even in the current gloomy economic conditions.  More than 30, 000 workers including consultants, contractors and engineers are working round the clock to make the dream come true.

When fully functional, the metro will be able to carry about 1.8 million passengers every day.

The total fleet of the Metro trains is expected to reach 131.

When completed, the Dubai Metro will cover a total 70km by 2012, the Authority has earlier said.

The Metro trains will run from 6am till 12 midnight with each of them having a capacity of transporting 643 passengers.  One round trip along the Red Line will take 2 hours 33 minutes, while a one-way trip will take 1 hour
12 minutes.

Trains will be available every 3 minutes 45 seconds during peak hours and every seven minutes during the
off peak hours.

On an average, there is a Metro station every one and a half kilometres.

The Authority has planned each move carefully to ensure every possible comfort to the Metro commuters.

The fares are cheap; there are
feeder buses at every station to transport passengers to their offices
and homes.

There’s pedestrian crossings at each station, a concrete safety system et al. No stone has been left unturned to ensure commuter comfort.

In addition, the RTA has taken every care for special needs people making travel easy and safe for them. 

Each of the stations will cater to buses, taxis and private car drops and pick ups. 

Joy Sengupta     joy@khaleejtimes.ae    www.khaleejtimes.ae